The Windhoek municipal management committee (MC), which faces a no confidence vote, was given a five-day lifeline to present counter-arguments. 

This was resolved at a special council meeting held behind closed doors on Friday. 

Although details remain sketchy, New Era is reliably informed that several Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) councillors asked for more time to present their case. 

They were given five days. The IPC controls the MC, with four of their five members sitting on the powerful decision-making structure.

On Sunday, convener of the meeting and Windhoek mayor Sade Gawanas confirmed the postponement. 

MC chairperson Ndeshihafela Larandja, who is among those accused of gross incompetence and exposing the council to unelected forces, was unreachable on her cell phone. 

Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement councillor Ilse Keister had moved the motion to dislodge the MC. 

There is general consensus in the city corridors that the motion might succeed. 

The plot thickens. 

The motion forms part of a bigger scheme to isolate the IPC by forming a new coalition composed of the AR, Swapo, the Popular Democratic Movement and the Landless People’s Movement. 

At this stage, the National Unity Democratic Organisation has played its cards close to its chest regarding where it stands.

“It will resume this coming week. I see Keister and Job succeeding with the vote of no confidence. They will then be elected [into the MC] and appoint [Conrad] Lutombi as CEO. On the other hand, the current MC will go to court for being evicted unlawfully,” an insider said. 

Last week, four IPC councillors, including Larandja, Jürgen Hecht, Otillie Uukule and Ben Araeb enlisted the services of lawyer Sylvia Kahengombe from Kahengombe Law Chambers to block the special council meeting. 

Their efforts fell flat as the meeting went ahead, but without any vote taking place. 

Meanwhile, AR’s Job Amupanda took to social media to give a glimpse into Friday’s meeting. He said: “We just got out of a special council meeting that considered the motion of no confidence. [The] four members of the management committee presented their case to council, in line with rule 19 (4).”

“One of the members asked for more time, and was given five days. We continue on 22 August! We will restore order and integrity at the City of Windhoek over the coming weeks.” - emumbuu@nepc.com